U.S. patent application number 15/556729 was filed with the patent office on 2018-04-19 for lockable packaging.
The applicant listed for this patent is WestRock MWV, LLC. Invention is credited to Marty Jones.
Application Number | 20180105314 15/556729 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 55456957 |
Filed Date | 2018-04-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180105314 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jones; Marty |
April 19, 2018 |
LOCKABLE PACKAGING
Abstract
A package (90) includes an outer sleeve (60) and a drawer (50)
that is slidably receivable in the outer sleeve (60). The package
further includes a two-part locking mechanism for releasably
locking the drawer within the outer sleeve. The first part is
provided by the outer sleeve, and the second part by the drawer as
a locking flap (52) hingedly connected to a rear end of a top panel
(106) of the drawer (50). The locking flap is folded outwardly of
the drawer toward a forward end of the top panel to be releasably
engaged with the first part of the locking mechanism.
Inventors: |
Jones; Marty; (Glen Allen,
VA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
WestRock MWV, LLC |
Norcross |
GA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
55456957 |
Appl. No.: |
15/556729 |
Filed: |
February 23, 2016 |
PCT Filed: |
February 23, 2016 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US2016/019013 |
371 Date: |
September 8, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62130182 |
Mar 9, 2015 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 5/4266 20130101;
B65D 5/106 20130101; A61M 5/002 20130101; B65D 5/38 20130101; A61J
1/16 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 5/38 20060101
B65D005/38; B65D 5/42 20060101 B65D005/42; B65D 5/10 20060101
B65D005/10; A61M 5/00 20060101 A61M005/00; A61J 1/16 20060101
A61J001/16 |
Claims
1. A package comprising an outer sleeve and a drawer that is
slidably receivable in the outer sleeve, the outer sleeve having a
closed rear end and an open front end through which the drawer is
insertable and withdrawable, the package further comprising a
two-part locking mechanism for releasably locking the drawer within
the outer sleeve, the two-part locking mechanism comprising a first
part and a second part, the first part being provided by the outer
sleeve, the drawer comprising a top panel and a base panel hingedly
connected together by a pair of side panels to provide a tubular
structure, the top panel having forward and rear opposed ends, the
rear end being disposed proximate the closed end of the outer
sleeve when the drawer is fully received in the outer sleeve, the
drawer further comprising the second part of the two-part locking
mechanism, the second part comprising a locking flap hingedly
connected to the rear end of the top panel, the locking flap being
folded outwardly of the tubular structure toward the forward end of
the top panel to be releasably engaged with the first part of the
locking mechanism when the drawer is fully received in the outer
sleeve.
2. The package of claim 1 further comprising a releasing mechanism
which is formed in the outer sleeve, the releasing mechanism
comprising an outer moveable tab defined in a top panel of the
outer sleeve.
3. The package of claim 1, wherein the top panel is a major
panel.
4. The package of claim 1, wherein the locking flap is made of the
same piece of material forming the top panel.
5. The package of claim 1, wherein the locking flap is made from a
piece of material separate from the top panel and is affixed to the
top panel.
6. The package of claim 1, further comprising an end closure panel
hingedly attached to the rear end of the bottom panel along a fold
line.
7. The package of claim 6, wherein the end closure panel is a
glue-free panel.
8. The package of claim 6, wherein the tubular structure has a
height between the base panel and the top panel, and the end
closure panel extends away from said fold line a distance greater
than the height of the tubular structure.
9. The package of claim 6, wherein an upper end of the end closure
panel is in abutment with the inside lower surface of the top
panel.
10. The package of claim 6, wherein the end closure panel defines
an acute angle with respect to the base panel.
11. The package of claim 1, wherein the tubular structure has a
height between the base panel and the top panel, and the height is
sufficient to receive a hypodermic syringe.
12. The package of claim 1, wherein the tubular structure has a
height between the base panel and the top panel, and the height is
sufficient to receive a medicine vial.
13. A blank for forming a drawer to be slidably receivable in an
outer sleeve, the outer sleeve having a closed rear end and an open
front end through which the drawer is insertable and withdrawable,
the package further comprising a two-part locking mechanism for
releasably locking the drawer within the outer sleeve, the two-part
locking mechanism comprising a first part and a second part, the
first part being provided by the outer sleeve, the blank
comprising: a top panel having forward and rear opposed ends and
opposed side edges; a first side panel hingedly connected to the
top panel; a base panel hingedly connected to the first side panel;
a second side panel hingedly connected to the base panel; and a
locking flap hingedly connected to the rear end of the top panel
and forming the second part of the two-part locking mechanism.
14. The blank of claim 13, wherein the top panel is a major
panel.
15. The blank of claim 13, further comprising a spine panel
hingedly connected to a forward end of the base panel, and a cover
panel hingedly connected to the spine panel.
16. The blank of claim 13, further comprising an end closure panel
hingedly connected to a rear end of the base panel.
17. The blank of claim 16, wherein the end closure panel extends a
first length from the rear end of the base panel, and the first
length is greater than the height of the first side panel as
measured between the top panel and base panel.
Description
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority under 35
U.S.C. .sctn. 119(e) of U.S. provisional application Ser. No.
62/130,182 filed on Mar. 9, 2015 which is hereby incorporated by
reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to packaging,
specifically but not exclusively, to lockable packaging such as
child-resistant, senior-friendly packages for healthcare type
applications and optionally packaging such as sleeve-and-drawer
style packages for consumer goods such as food, recreational drugs
(e.g., tobaccos, cigars, cigarettes, etc.), toys, hardware, and
electrical items, or the like. More specifically, but not
exclusively, the invention relates to a sleeve-and-drawer style
package having an internal slidable receptacle, that is releasably
lockable within an outer sleeve and having a release mechanism
comprising a moveable unlocking push tab or a deformable unlocking
pressing area.
[0003] Typical examples of sleeve-and-drawer packages where the
present invention may be employed include, but are not limited to:
a secondary packages for injectables (e.g., those packages for
syringes and vials); unit dose packages for pharmaceutical tablets;
capsules; lozenges; and security packages to deter package
pilferage for small high-value items, such as consumer
electronics.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] In the field of packaging, particularly in the field of
healthcare and medication packaging and in the field of
sleeve-and-drawer style packaging for a wide range of consumer
goods, it is often required to provide consumers or patients with
secure packaging that has child-resistant features to restrict or
prevent access to the package contents by a child. Many packages
are available that comprise an inner drawer that holds articles in
trays. The drawer typically is slidably received in an outer
sleeve. The inner drawer, when fully received in the outer sleeve,
is usually retained and locked inside the outer sleeve by a locking
flap of the drawer that engages the outer sleeve. Such a locking
flap is folded more than 90 degrees toward the open end of the
outer sleeve to engage the outer sleeve and to resist withdrawing
force applied by a user to the inner drawer. For the purpose of
providing a proper resistance or stiffness to such withdrawing
force, the size or length of the locking flap plays an important
role. The length of the locking flap substantially affects its
stiffness. The length of the locking flap also directly affects the
length of the entire package. For that reason, there are needs for
lockable packages that are not oversized and still provide an
acceptable child-resistant feature.
[0005] The present invention seeks to provide an improvement in the
field of packaging, more specifically, but not exclusively, in the
field of sleeve-and-drawer style packages.
SUMMARY
[0006] According to an aspect of the invention for which protection
is sought, there is provided a package including an outer sleeve
and a drawer. The drawer is slidably receivable in the outer
sleeve. The package further includes a two-part locking mechanism
for releasably locking the drawer within the outer sleeve. The
two-part locking mechanism includes a first part and a second part.
The first part is provided by the outer sleeve. The drawer includes
a top panel and a base panel hingedly connected together by a pair
of side panels to provide a tubular structure. The rear end of the
top panel is disposed proximate a closed end of the outer sleeve
when the drawer is fully received in the outer sleeve. The drawer
further includes the second part of the two-part locking mechanism.
The second part is a locking flap hingedly connected to the rear
end of the top panel. The locking flap is folded outwardly of the
tubular structure toward a forward end of the top panel to be
releasably engaged with the first part of the locking
mechanism.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way
of example only and with reference to the following drawings:
[0008] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a blank for forming an outer sleeve
of a package according to the invention;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the outer sleeve formed from
the blank of FIG. 1;
[0010] FIG. 3 is a plan view of an inner receptacle or drawer of
the package according to the invention;
[0011] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the drawer formed from the
blank of FIG. 3, showing a cover panel of the drawer in its opened
position; and
[0012] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the outer sleeve and drawer,
showing a condition before the drawer is inserted into the outer
sleeve.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0013] Detailed descriptions of a specific embodiment of the outer
sleeve, lockable receptacle (drawer), package and blanks are
disclosed herein. It will be understood that the disclosed
embodiment is merely an example of the way in which certain aspects
of the invention can be implemented and does not represent an
exhaustive list of all of the ways the invention may be embodied.
Indeed, it will be understood that the outer sleeve, lockable
receptacle, package and blanks described herein may be embodied in
various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to
scale and some features may be exaggerated or minimised to show
details of particular components. Well-known components, materials
or methods are not necessarily described in great detail in order
to avoid obscuring the present disclosure. Any specific structural
and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted
as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a
representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to
variously employ the invention.
[0014] Reference is now made to the accompanying Figures for the
purpose of describing, in detail, a preferred and exemplary
embodiment of the invention. The figures and detailed description
are provided to describe and illustrate examples in which the
disclosed package and its parts may be made and used, and are not
intended to limit the scope thereof. Those skilled in the art will
readily appreciate that the disclosed packages can be used to store
a variety of products. More specifically, the disclosed lockable
receptacle can be used for the storage of products, such as for
example, syringes, medication and other medical or pharmaceutical
products, smokeless tobacco, cigarettes, confectionary, tea bags,
mints, electrical items or any product stored in a pouch, blister
or compartment, and the like without departing from the inventive
aspects of the present invention.
[0015] Generally the present invention teaches the provision of a
locking flap for use with a variety of lockable packages wherein a
locking flap is required to be released, out of its locked position
by means of a releasing mechanism. The releasing mechanism is
provided on an outer sleeve of the package. Such a package is
typically utilized in applications where child-resistance is
required (for example in pharmaceutical and healthcare packaging),
however the application of the locking flap is not so limited and
its application in other forms of packaging, such as high-value
product secure packaging and repeated use packaging is envisaged.
The drawer and locking flap of the invention may be utilized with a
variety of styles of lockable package, made from a variety of
materials, including for example, plastics material, paperboard and
combinations thereof. The locking flap is typically made out of
material forming the main part of the drawer or inner receptacle
and hingedly connected by a fold line to the drawer; however, it
optionally may be formed from a separate piece of material and
affixed to the main part of the drawer. The locking flap is
connected to an upper panel of a holding structure of the
drawer.
[0016] A specific embodiment of the invention is illustrated herein
in relation to a sleeve and drawer style package (formed primarily
of paperboard), wherein a lockable drawer 50 (optionally formed
from sheet plastic or composite paperboard material) retained
within the outer sleeve 60 holds plurality of packaged syringes 54
(only one shown in FIG. 4) and one vial 55. It is to be understood
however, that the locking flap, drawer and package of the invention
is not limited to this particular application.
[0017] Referring now to FIGS. 1 through to 5, there is illustrated
a package 90 and component parts thereof according to an embodiment
of the invention. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a package 90
wherein the two parts 50, 60 of the package is separated from each
other. The package 90 is a sleeve-and-drawer style package
comprising an outer sleeve 60 formed from a blank 10 (see FIG. 1)
and a lockable drawer 50 formed from a blank 100 (see FIG. 3). The
lockable drawer 50 in an erected form is shown in FIG. 4 and is of
the form of a tray with an integrally formed cover panel 128. The
outer sleeve 60 comprises a first part of a two-part complementary
locking mechanism. In this embodiment, the first part of the
two-part complementary locking mechanism comprises a 1-ply locking
edge 72 (see FIG. 1). The drawer 50 comprises a second part of the
two-part complementary locking mechanism. In this embodiment, the
second part of the two-part complementary locking mechanism
comprises a locking flap 52 (see FIG. 4). The package 90 also
comprises a release mechanism which is, in this arrangement,
entirely formed in the outer sleeve 60. The release mechanism
comprises an outer moveable tab 76 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) and an
associated, optional inner moveable tab 78 (see FIG. 1).
[0018] The drawer 50 is slidably insertable into the interior
cavity of the outer sleeve 60 through an open end 61 of the outer
sleeve 60 (see FIG. 5) and is releasably locked therein by
operation of the two-part complementary locking mechanism.
[0019] Referring now to FIG. 1, the blank 10 illustrated therein is
formed of a foldable substrate or sheet material, for example,
paperboard, optionally having at least one coated and printed side.
In other embodiments, the blank may be formed from any one or a
combination of: paper, paperboard, fibreboard, plastics material,
coated material (e.g., tear-resistant coated material), uncoated
material and printed material. Optionally in the present
embodiment, the blank 10 is a sheet of paperboard.
[0020] The blank 10 comprises, in series: an outer top panel 22
(also referred to herein as a first top panel), a first side panel
20, a bottom panel 18, a second side panel 16, and an inner top
panel 14, hinged one to the next by means of longitudinally
extending hinged connections such as fold lines 48, 46, 44 and 42
respectively.
[0021] Rear end flaps 34, 36 are hinged by hinged connections such
as fold lines 40, 41 to the "rear"-ends of the bottom panel 18 and
outer top panel 22. These rear end flaps 34, 36, in use are folded
approximately 90.degree. about fold lines 40, 41 and are affixed in
face contacting relationship to one another to form a composite end
wall 34/36 for the outer sleeve 60. The composite end wall 34/36
may be referred to herein as a "rear" end wall.
[0022] Optional end flaps 32 and 30 are hinged by hinged
connections such as fold lines 38 and 35 to the "open"-ends of the
bottom panel 18 and inner top panel 14 respectively. These end
flaps 32, 30, in use are folded approximately 180.degree. about
fold lines 38 and 35 and are affixed in face contacting
relationship to the bottom panel 18 and to the inner top panel 14
respectively. Once affixed in this way, the end flaps 32, 30
optionally serve to provide a smooth finish to the "open" end of
the outer sleeve 60 and serve to prevent or at least mitigate
against the complete withdrawal of the lockable drawer 50 from the
outer sleeve 60. In an alternative embodiment, however, the end
flaps 32, 30 may be folded substantially more than 90.degree. and
less than 180.degree. and remain unattached to the bottom panel 18
or inner top panel. Those unattached front end panels can also
serve to prevent or at least mitigate against the complete
withdrawal of the lockable drawer 50 from the outer sleeve 60.
[0023] The blank 10 comprises elements for forming the first part
of the two-part locking mechanism. The elements include: a first
aperture 86 and a first edge 72 formed in the inner top panel 14
(the first edge 72 optionally being defined by the aperture 86).
Once assembled into the outer sleeve 60, the first edge 72 provides
a one-ply engaging edge 72.
[0024] The blank 10 further comprises elements for forming the
release mechanism when in an assembled form in the outer sleeve 60.
The elements for forming the release mechanism include: an outer
moveable tab 76 formed in the outer top panel 22; an inner moveable
tab 78 formed in the inner top panel 14. Each moveable tab 76, 78
is preferably, but nevertheless optionally integrally formed within
the blank 10. Each moveable tab 76, 78 comprises an anchored
portion and a free edge which is defined by a cut, severance line
or opening such that the free edge is separated, or otherwise
separable, from the remainder of the respective one of the outer
top panel 22 and inner top panel 14. The moveable tabs 76, 78 are
thereby moveable below the plane of the panels 22, 14 from which
they are formed. Optionally, the outer moveable tab 76 formed in
the outer top panel 22 has larger size than the inner moveable tab
78 in the inner top panel 14.
[0025] The outer moveable tab 76 may be defined by a generally "U"
shaped severance line 82 such as a perforation or cut. The inner
moveable tab 78 may be defined in part by the aperture 86 forming
the locking edge 72. The aperture 86 may be considered as recesses
into which the locking flap 52 may be inserted when the flap 52 is
in the locked position. The roughly "U"-shaped moveable tab 76 is
preferably, but nevertheless optionally, disposed in a
substantially medial position within the outer top panel 22.
[0026] Turning in more detail to the construction of the outer
sleeve, from the blank 10; optionally, end flaps 32, 30 are folded
about fold lines 38, 35 and affixed (or optionally not affixed) to
the inside faces (non-printed faces) of the bottom panel 18 and the
inner top panel 14 respectively. To affix the end flaps 32, 30 to
the bottom panel 18 and to the inner top panel 14, adhesive (such
as hot melt glue) may be applied to one or both of the end flap 32
and the bottom panel 18; and to one or both of the end flap 30 and
the inner top panel 14. After folding the end flaps 32, 30, the
inner top panel 14 is folded over the bottom panel 18 about the
fold line 42. Then, the outer top panel 22 is folded over the inner
top panel 14 about the fold line 46. Adhesive or other affixing
means may be used to securely affix the outer top panel 22 to the
inner top panel 14. The end flaps 32, 30 provide folded edges of
the front open end of the outer sleeve 60 and one or both may
additionally serve as a stopper to prevent or at least restrict the
complete withdrawal of a lockable drawer 50 from the outer sleeve
60.
[0027] The (non-printed surface of the) outer top panel 22 is in
part affixed to the (printed surface of the) inner top panel 14.
This may be achieved by the application of adhesive (such as a hot
melt glue) to the outer top panel 22 and/or to the inner top panel
14. At this point, construction of the outer sleeve 60 is not
entirely completed since the rear end wall 34/36 has not been
assembled. In this state, however, the outer sleeve 60 is in its
flat-form (not shown). It has been folded and part assembled and it
is in this flat-form that the outer sleeve 60 would preferably be
shipped. As such, construction of the outer sleeve 60 may be fully
completed at a packaging plant, where the outer sleeve 60 is opened
into a tubular form with an interior cavity and loaded with the
lockable drawer 50 through one or both of the open (front) or rear
ends of the outer sleeve 60. Then, the rear end wall 34/36 is
constructed by folding the rear end panels 34, 36 about fold lines
40, 41 and into affixed and face contacting relationship.
[0028] The lockable drawer 50 may also be formed from foldable
sheet material such as paperboard, sheet plastic, a paper-plastic
composite material. FIG. 3 illustrates a blank 100 from which the
lockable drawer 50 is formed. The blank 100 comprises a tray base
panel 102, a first tray side panel 104, an tray top panel 106, a
second tray side panel 108 and a glue flap 110, which are hingedly
connected, one to the next, by hinged connections such as fold
lines 112, 114, 116, and 116 respectively. A rear end closure panel
120 is hingedly connected to the rear end of the tray base panel
102 along a hinged connection such as a fold line 122. A spine
panel 124 is hingedly connected to the front end of the tray base
panel 102 along a hinged connection such as a fold line 126. A
cover panel 128 is hingedly connected to the spine panel 124 along
a hinged connection such as a fold line 130. The locking flap 52 is
hingedly connected to the rear end of the tray top panel 106 along
a hinged connection such as a fold line 132.
[0029] The tray base panel 102 and tray top panel 106 may be
considered major panels each having a substantially larger area
than either of the first tray side panel 104 and second tray side
panel 108 which may be considered minor panels.
[0030] The tray top panel 106 is provided with a generally
rectangular top opening 134. The material struck from the tray top
panel 106 to define the top opening 134 is used in part to provide
a front interior member 136 and in part to provide a rear interior
member 138. The front interior member 136 comprises a tray front
panel 140 and a front foot panel 142. The tray front panel 140 is
hingedly connected to the front edge of the top opening 134 along a
hinged connection such as a front fold line 144. The front foot
panel 142 is hingedly connected to the tray front panel 140 along a
hinged connection such as a fold line 146. The rear interior member
138 comprises a tray rear panel 148 and a rear foot panel 150. The
tray rear panel 148 is hingedly connected to the rear edge of the
top opening 134 along a hinged connection such as a fold line 152
while the rear foot panel 150 is hingedly connected to the tray
rear panel 148 along a hinged connection such as a fold line 154.
The tray front and rear panels 140, 148 respectively provide
substantial front and rear end walls of the drawer 50. The tray
front and rear panels 140, 148 define therebetween a first
article-receiving space immediately below the top opening 134 when
the blank 100 is assembled into the tray-shaped drawer 50.
[0031] Along the forward end edge of the tray top panel 106, a
cutout 156 is defined to provide a second article-receiving space.
The material struck from the tray top panel 106 to define the
cutout 156 is partially used to provide a side interior member 158.
The side interior member 158 comprises a first inner side panel 160
and a side foot panel 162. The first inner side panel 160 is
hingedly connected to the tray top panel 106 along a hinged
connection such as an interrupted fold line 164. The side foot
panel 162 is hingedly connected to the first inner side panel 160
along a hinged connection such as a fold line 166. The first inner
side panel 160 is provided with a neck-receiving recess 172. In
addition, a second inner side panel 168 is struck from the tray top
panel 106 at the area next to the cutout 156 to define a
cap-receiving area. The second inner side panel 168 is hinedly
connected to the tray top panel 106 along a hinged connection such
as a fold line 170. The first and second inner side panels 160, 168
provide a double end wall which defines an end of the second
article-receiving space.
[0032] Turning to the construction of the drawer 50 from the blank
100; optionally, the rear end closure flap 120 is folded over the
inside surface of the tray base panel 102 about the fold line 122.
When the drawer is erected, the end closure panel 120 may take an
end closing position wherein the end closure panel 120 defines an
acute angle with respect to the tray base panel 102. To retain the
end closure panel 120 in the closing position, the end closure
panel 120 has a height greater than each of the tray side panels
104, 108, which will be discussed in more details later. After the
end closure flap 120 is folded, the glue flap 110 is folded over
the second tray side panel 108 about the fold line 118. Then the
tray top panel 106 is folded over the inside/upper surface of the
tray base panel 102 about the fold line 114. Glue or any other
adhesive is applied to the glue flap 110 and the side foot panel
162 to secure the glue panel 110 and the side foot panel 162 to the
inside surface of the tray base panel 102. The glue or any other
adhesive may alternatively be applied to the tray base panel 102 or
to all of the tray base panel 102, the glue panel 110 and the side
foot panel 162.
[0033] At this point, the construction of the drawer 50 is not
entirely completed since the locking flap 52 is not folded about
the fold line 132 and none of the front, rear and side interior
members 136, 138, 158 has been erected. In this state, however, the
drawer 50 is in its flat-form (not shown). It has been folded and
part assembled and it is in this flat-form that the drawer 50 would
preferably be shipped. As such, construction of the drawer 50 may
be fully completed at a packaging plant, where the drawer 50 is
opened to form a tubular structure, and the front and rear interior
members 136, 138 are folded inwardly of the tubular structure to
define the first article-receiving space below the top opening 134.
The tray front and rear panels 140, 148 are folded downward about
the fold lines 144, 152 to take respective upright positions while
the front and rear foot panels 142, 150 are folded about the fold
lines 146, 154 to be in flat face contacting positions with respect
to the inside/upper surface of the tray base panel 102. The side
interior member 158 is automatically erected when the drawer 50
takes the tubular form due to the side foot panel 162 that has been
secured to the tray base panel 102. When erected, the first inner
side panel 160 automatically takes an upright position while the
second inner side panel 168 remains in the plane of the tray top
panel 106 till it is manipulated later. During the drawer-erecting
process, the end closure panel 120 is somewhat folded
backward/upward about the fold line 122 due to the natural
resiliency of the sheet material. This allows the end closure panel
120 to take the end-closing position wherein the upper end of the
end closure panel 120 is in abutment with the inside/lower surface
of the tray top panel 106 and thereby prevents the end closure
panel 120 from folded further backwards. This glue-free end closure
panel 120 can thereby be retained in its end-closing position.
Stated differently, the height of the end closure panel 120 is
greater than the height of the tubular structure. The tubular
structure is then loaded with any articles such as syringes and
vials through the top opening 134 and the cutout 156. For example,
packaged syringes 54 are placed inside the first article-receiving
space while a vial 55 is received in the second article-receiving
space (see FIG. 4). More specifically, the cap of the vial 55 is
pressed into the cap-receiving area defined by the second inner
side panel 168, till the neck of the vial 55 snaps in the
neck-receiving recess 172. The syringes 54 are simply loaded into
the space between the tray front and rear panels 140, 148. After
that, the spine panel 124 is folded about the fold line 126 to take
an upright position where it closes the front end of the second
article-receiving space. Then, the cover panel 128 is folded about
the fold lines 130 over the tray top panel 106 to cover the top
opening 134. The locking flap 52 is finally folded toward the top
opening 134 so that the drawer 50 is ready to be loaded into the
outer sleeve 60.
[0034] Referring to FIG. 5, the lockable drawer 50 moved in the
direction of the arrow and thereby is inserted with its rear end
first into the outer sleeve 60. When fully inserted, the drawer 50
is automatically locked in the sleeve 60 by operation of the
two-part complementary locking mechanism. The drawer 50 is loaded
into the sleeve 60 such that the tray base panel 102 is in a face
contacting arrangement with the inside surface of the bottom panel
108 and that the folded locking flap 52 is in a sliding contact at
its upper end with the inside surface of the inner top panel 14.
When the drawer 50 is fully received in the outer sleeve 60, the
folded locking flap 52, due to its natural resilience, unfolds
slightly into the recess provided by the aperture 86. In this way,
the locking flap 52 catches on the locking edge 72 provided by the
inner top panel 14.
[0035] To allow the drawer 50 to be unlocked and thereby to enable
it to be slidable with respect to the outer sleeve 60, the
releasing mechanism needs to be activated. The releasing mechanism
comprises the moveable tabs 76, 78 which are disposed in registry
with each other when the sleeve 60 is in its assembled form.
Activation of the release mechanism may be achieved by depressing
the outer moveable tab 76, which in turn causes depression of the
inner moveable tab 78. Depressing the release mechanism
sufficiently depresses the locking flap 52 such that it is no
longer in locking engagement with the locking edge 72.
Simultaneously, the lockable drawer 50 can be withdrawn from the
outer sleeve 60. Thumb recesses 87, 88, 89 may assist a user in
grasping the lockable receptacle 50, when it is disposed fully
within the outer sleeve 60, in order to withdraw it from the outer
sleeve 60. As such it will be realized that a user is required to
hold the package 90 in one hand and with that same hand, depress
the moveable tab 76 whilst, at the same time, gripping and pulling
a forward end of the lockable drawer 50 with their other hand.
[0036] In the assembled form, the tray top panel 106 is disposed
above the tray base panel 102 as best shown in FIG. 4. When such a
drawer 50 is received in the outer sleeve, the tray top panel 106
disposed at the position immediately below the inner top panel 14
of the outer sleeve 60. Under such circumstances, connecting the
locking flap 52 to the tray top panel 106 is advantageous in
that:
[0037] the locking flap 52 is allowed to be short and stiff and yet
can reach the locking edge 72;
[0038] the short locking flap 52 may allow the entire length of the
package 90 to be reduced to save the amount of the material used to
form the package; and
[0039] users of the package can operate the releasing mechanism
while viewing the tab 76 and at the same time the drawer 50 may be
withdrawn with its top opening 134 facing up--in this way, the
chance of the articles 54, 55 accidentally falling out of the
drawer 50 may be reduced.
[0040] It can be appreciated that various changes may be made
within the scope of the present invention, for example, the size,
number, configuration, position and relative placement, shape and
physical formation of each panel, the locking mechanism and the
moveable tabs of the releasing mechanism may be adjusted to suit
the locking mechanism and/or size and/or color and/or design and/or
intended purpose of the package.
[0041] Optionally, it is additionally envisaged that the moveable
tab 76 may be replaced by a demarcated, deformable pressing zone
provided in an outer top panel of the package. Such a pressing zone
of the outermost panel may be in registry with the underlying
moveable tab 78 or otherwise the underlying aperture 86. The
pressing zone is nevertheless caused to be depressed sufficiently
to cause the unlocking of the locking flap 52
[0042] In the embodiments comprising a pressing region or zone, the
pressing zone may be a demarcated pressing zone and may comprise
any one or more of: an embossment, debossment, crease, groove,
compressed region of material, integrally formed raised button or
recess. Optionally the demarcated region may be formed by any one
or more or an appropriate combination of: thermo-forming, molded,
blow-molded, pressed, grooved, engraved, scored, and hatched.
[0043] It will be recognised that as used herein, directional
references such as "top", "bottom", "base", "front", "back", "end",
"side", "inner", "outer", "upper" and "lower" do not necessarily
limit the respective panels to such orientation, but merely serve
to distinguish these panels from one another. Any reference to
hinged connection should not be construed as necessarily referring
to a single fold line only; indeed it is envisaged that hinged
connection can be formed from one or more of the following, a short
slit, a frangible line or a fold line without departing from the
scope of the invention.
[0044] As used herein, the terms "hinged connection" and "fold
line" each refers to all manner of lines that define hinge features
of the blank or substrate of sheet material, facilitate folding
portions of the blank or substrate of sheet material with respect
to one another, or otherwise indicate optimal panel folding
locations for the blank or substrate of sheet material. Any
reference to "hinged connection" should not be construed as
necessarily referring to a single fold line only; indeed a hinged
connection can be formed from one or more fold lines.
[0045] As used herein, the term "fold line" may refer to one of the
following: a scored line, an embossed line, a debossed line, a line
of perforations, a line of short slits, a line of half-cuts, a
single half-cut, an interrupted cut line, aligned slits, a line of
short scores and any combination of the aforementioned options,
without departing from the scope of the invention.
[0046] As used herein, the term "severance line" may refer to all
manner of lines formed in the blank or substrate of sheet material
that facilitate separating portions of the blank or substrate of
sheet material from one another, or otherwise that indicate optimal
separation locations on the blank or substrate. As used herein, the
term "severance line" may refer to one of the following: a single
cut line, a single partial-depth cut line (e.g., a single half-cut
line), an interrupted cut line, a score line, an interrupted score
line, a line of perforations, a line of short cuts, a line of short
slits, a line of short partial-depth cuts (e.g., a line of short
half cuts), and any combination of the aforementioned options.
[0047] It should be understood that hinged connections, fold lines
and severance lines can each include elements that are formed in
the blank or substrate of sheet material, including perforations, a
line of perforations, a line of short slits, a line of half-cuts, a
single half-cut, a cut line, an interrupted cut line, slits,
scores, any combination thereof, and the like. The elements can be
dimensioned and arranged to provide the desired functionality. For
example, a line of perforations can be dimensioned or designed with
degrees of weakness to define a fold line and/or a severance line.
The line of perforations can be designed to facilitate folding and
resist breaking to provide a fold line, to facilitate folding and
facilitate breaking with more effort to provide a frangible fold
line, or to facilitate breaking with little effort to provide a
severance line.
[0048] The phrase "in registry with" as used herein refers to
alignment of two or more elements in an erected package, such as a
moveable tab formed in an outer top panel and a moveable tab formed
in an inner top panel. Those elements in registry with each other
may be aligned with each other in the direction of the thickness of
the overlapping panels.
* * * * *